'I've made my peace... I sleep very well at night': Jelena Dokic says she's given up trying to reconcile with her 'abusive' father - and plans to start a family of her own
- Jelena Dokic said she has given up trying to reconcile with abusive dad Damir
- In autobiography 'Unbreakable', Dokic said she was regularly hit during career
- Dokic said she has made peace with her decision to distance herself with her dad
- 'I realise that you have to let go of the bad things in your life,' Dokic commented
Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed she is no longer trying to reconcile with her abusive father.
In her biography 'Unbreakable' Dokic, 36, revealed her father Damir regularly beat and whipped her from the age of six.
Despite battling depression and even contemplating suicide, Dokic attempted to make up with her father.
But after years of turmoil Dokic said she has given up trying and has made peace with the fact the relationship cannot be salvaged.
Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed she is no longer trying to reconcile with her father following explosive claims she was abused during her career
Dokic released her book 'Unbreakable' in 2017 and said her father Damir regularly beat and whipped her from the age of six
'I'm OK with that, I've made my peace with that,' she told NowtoLove.
'As I've gotten older and I'm getting closer to having my own family, I realise that you have to let go of the bad things in your life.'
Dokic was once ranked as World No. 4 and beat tennis greats Venus Williams and Martina Hingis.
However towards the end of her career Dokic was plagued by injury and she underwent wrist surgery in 2012.
Two years later, Dokic was forced to retire but kept close ties to the sport through coaching and commentary.
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It was only when she released her autobiography years down the track that the world learned the harsh truth behind her star-studded career.
The tennis legend said the worst beating she ever endured at the hands of her father was after losing early on at the 2000 du Maurier Open in Canada.
'It was a really nasty memory that will stay with me forever… I ended up fainting,' she recalled.
She alleged she was whipped with a leather belt if she had a bad training session and her shins were kicked with heavy dress shoes, often leaving her bruised and bloodied.
Dokic (pictured at the 2000 US Open) is a former tennis star who was once ranked as World No. 4 and previously beat tennis greats Venus Williams and Martina Hingis to name a few
Two years later Dokic was forced to throw in the towel for good but kept close ties to the sport through coaching and working as a commentator
During Dokic's career, her father Damir often drew negative attention.
His outbursts at a series of major events led him to be barred from the women's tour for half a year in 2000.
He smashed a reporter's phone at Wimbledon and fought a camera crew at the Australian Open.
Under the constant glare of media, Damir made the decision to pack up his bags and take Dokic back to the Serbian capital Belgrade.
Dokic returned to the tennis court as a Serbian citizen and the reception at the 2001 Australia Open was icy with spectators booing the former Australian representative.
Her father now lives in Croatia and manufactures brandy. Dokic said she always hoped her father would change as a person but admits he has never apologised.
'You can't choose your parents and your family and that's fine,' she said.
Dokic said she always hoped her father would change as a person but admits he has never apologised
